A Christmas carol

A Christmas carol Adapted from the novel: A Christmas carol

Ebenezer Scrooge was an old, stingy and cold businessman. His partner Jacob Marley was dead, and he was the sole owner of the business. One Christmas Eve, old Scrooge sat in his office, when his nephew, Fred, a cheerful person, entered.

"A Merry Christmas, Uncle! May God keep you well!" said Fred.

"What's so merry about Christmas," 'grumbled Scrooge, "You have to pay bills! You're a year older but you are no richer!" he said, put off by the festivity.

Scrooge's nephew invited him to dinner the next day, and left. A little later, two gentlemen came asking for charity. The miser Scrooge didn't believe in charity. He insulted them and sent them away.

It was closing time. Bob Cratchit, his clerk was already seeking his eye, expecting to get an off on Christmas Day.

"You want all day off tomorrow?" said Scrooge.

"If that is convenient, Sir," he answered.

"It's not convenient," said Scrooge. "That's a poor excuse for picking a man's pocket every twenty- fifth of December! But if you must, I want you at work earlier the following morning."

On Christmas Eve, Scrooge was sitting by the fire. Suddenly, he heard a noise, as if somebody was dragging a heavy chain. Scrooge looked towards the source, and saw a ghost come in through the heavy door. He was dragging long chains that dragged along the floor loudly. They were so heavy that they seemed to pull him down.

"Who are you?" asked Scrooge. "Jacob Marley your partner!" the spirit replied.

"But why have you come?" demanded Scrooge.

"Only to warn you! I wander through the world wearing these 'shackles because I lived the life of a 'stingy person. I only cared about wealth and not about people. You still have a chance, Ebenezer. Three spirits will visit you when the bell tolls one," he said patiently and disappeared. Scrooge, all ready for bed, slept off immediately.

Suddenly, Scrooge woke up with a start. It was still a cold, foggy night. As the clock struck one, a light flashed up in the room and Scrooge found himself face to face with a strange figure - its long hair was white as if with age; and yet the face was that of a little child. "Who are you?" Scrooge asked the ghost.

"I am the Ghost of Christmas Past. Come with me."

The ghost took Scrooge back in time, to a massive house whose owners had lost their fortune. They went down the poorly furnished, cold halls to a bare, and 'dreary room. A young and lonely Scrooge sat there, reading. When Scrooge saw that, he regretted not giving donations to the two gentlemen earlier that evening. His donation could have freed a child or two of the same misery.

After that, the spirit took him to a time where he was with his sister. Scrooge remembered how delicate her health was, but she was always a cheerful person. She was now dead, leaving behind a son, Fred - Fred whom he had so rudely brushed away that evening!

The ghost, then, took Scrooge to yet another time. Here, an older Scrooge sat next to a beautiful young, teary-eyed girl, Belle.

"I am sad," she said, softly, "That another love has replaced me in your heart - the love of gold. I think it is better for us to part. May you be happy with your choice!"

"Spirit," said Scrooge, "why torture me so? Why don't you take

me home?"

"These are the shadows from your past. Don't blame me for the torture," said the ghost.

And finally Scrooge found himself in his own bed again. He was exhausted and sank into a deep sleep.

Next, the Ghost of Christmas Present visited Scrooge. It had curly brown hair. and sparkling eyes. It was wearing a flowing green robe trimmed with white fur. Scrooge told the spirit. "I learnt som lessons last night and am ready to learn some more. So take me where you want!"

The ghost took Scrooge to Bob Cratchit's house - a dwelling that marked poverty. Mrs Cratchit was preparing Christmas dinner. The children were helping her cheerfully. Just then, Bob Cratchit came in with his youngest son, Tiny Tim, upon his shoulders. Tiny Tim bore a little crutch and had an iron frame around his limbs.

Christmas dinner was ready. There was nothing much in terms of Christmas dinner, confirming that they were not very well to do. But still everyone was joyful and the presence of the Christmas Spirit in their hearts was obvious.

"A Merry Christmas, my dears! God bless us!" said Bob Cratchit.

Tiny Tim sat upon his little stool, very close to his father. Bob sat holding his hand tightly, as if he were to be snatched away.

"Spirit," said Scrooge, feeling sorry, "tell me that Tiny Tim will live?" "I see an empty seat," replied the ghost, "and a crutch without an owner, if these shadows don't change in the future. But, these are your shadows, you can change them."

Just then, Scrooge heard Bob Cratchit call his name. "Mr Scrooge!" said Bob; "I'll give you Mr Scrooge, the Founder of the Feast!" Scrooge hung his head in shame. He realised that Bob Crachit was grateful to him, and that the family was happy, grateful, pleased with one another, and contented with the time, even though they had so little.

The spirit then took Scrooge to his nephew's house. Fred and his cheerful friends were having a lively fun-filled party. Scrooge loved the atmosphere and wanted to stay but the spirit lead Scrooge further into their travels.

They visited many other places 'resplendent with Christmas spirit: the

sick were cheerful despite the pain; foreigners felt at home, the poor

felt rich - all because of the Christmas Spirit. It was here that Scrooge realised, riches were not needed for being happy. The clock tolled twelve and a tall, very tall, ghost covered entirely in deep black clothing appeared.

"You must be the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come." said Scrooge, "I think I am more afraid of you than of the other ghosts."

The ghost did not say a word, scaring Scrooge even more. The ghost lead him across the city. They were in a dark room with a single bed. On it, unwatched, unwept, uncared for, was the body of a man. Scrooge realised that it was his own. And there were no friends to join his funeral procession, no kin to visit his grave! And his fortune could do nothing.

The spirit led him onwards, in the familiar streets till they reached Bob Cratchit's house. Today, the mother and the children were sitting quietly - very quietly. The otherwise boisterous Cratchit children were sitting like statues. Sometime later, Bob Cratchit entered.

Mrs Cratchit asked, "Did you go there?"

"Yes, my dear," returned Bob. "I wish you could have gone. It would have done you good to see how green a place it is. But you'll see it often. I promised him that I would walk there on a Sunday. My little, little child!" cried Bob. "My little child!"

He broke down all at once. He couldn't help it. If he could have helped it, his little boy would have been with them right now.

"Spirit!" Scrooge cried, as the scene disappeared, more disturbed than ever, "hear me! I am not the man I was. I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach." Oh, tell me that I may change my fate!"

Scrooge held the spirit's hand, but the spirit shrunk, and faded away, and in its place was a bedpost - a bedpost none other than his own. The bed was his own, the room was his own. Best and happiest of all, the Time before him was his own, to make amends in!

Running to the window, he opened it, and put out his head.

"What's to-day!" cried Scrooge, calling downward to a boy in Sunday clothes.

"Why, it's Christmas Day!" the boy shouted merrily.

"It's Christmas Day!" said Scrooge to himself. "I haven't missed it. The spirits have done it all in one night. To the boy, he said, "My dear fellow! Do you know if that big turkey is still hanging at the poulterer's?"

"The one that's as big as me?" returned the boy. "Yes! It's there." "How delightful!" said Scrooge. "Go and buy it, and tell 'em to bring it here. And if you come back within five minutes you'll have earned half-a-crown!"

"I'll send it to Bob Cratchit," whispered Scrooge cheerfully to himself. "He sha'n't know who sends it."

Then he went to the charity and gave a generous contribution. He surprised Bob Cratchit by raising his salary; and to Tiny Tim, who did not die, he was a second father. Scrooge became good a friend, good a master, and a good a man! And that's how the good old city knew him long after he died.